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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Brian ask Melinda to do privately with him in Part IV?

2. How does Vic realize he feels about Melinda as far as physical attraction in Part III?

3. Where is the coroner's inquest into De Lisle's death held?

4. What do Vic and Melinda serve for dinner in Part III?

5. Who does Vic confront about the true nature of Carpenter's business in Part IV?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who attends the Mellers' barbecue in Part IV, and why is this strange?

2. What does Melinda tell Vic that Carpenter concluded about Vic?

3. In Part III, who tries to help Melinda prove Vic is a killer besides the private investigator?

4. What does Tony propose for dinner that makes Vic very angry?

5. What does Vic really dislike about Cameron by late in Part IV?

6. What does Melinda tell Vic that she will do late in Part IV that shocks him?

7. What does Meller tell Vic that Melinda said at his party in Vic's absence?

8. What does Brian Ryder do while a guest in Vic's home that upsets Vic?

9. What does Horace tell Vic about Melinda's persistent claims that he is a murderer?

10. What does Vic decide to do for Trixie in Part IV that Melinda objects to?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In general, how does Vic react to his wife Melinda's infidelities, and how does Highsmith communicate the unorthodox nature of their relationship to the reader? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Why is Melinda so convinced that Vic really did kill De Lisle, but no one else in town thinks this is the case? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

How would you describe Highsmith's tone and language throughout this novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

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